Sagay, Falana, Others Condemn Senate’s bid to Amend CCB Act while Saraki is on Trial

The bill to amend the Code of Conduct Bureau Act which was presented to the Senate house on Tuesday passed second reading during the senate’s session on Thursday. Click here to catch up.

The bill, according to its sponsor, Peter Nwaoboshi is aimed at removing the CCB from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and move it to either the judiciary or the National Assembly.

Some lawyers have reacted to the development, condemning the move of the senate, particularly regarding the fact that the Senate’s Principal Officer, Bukola Saraki is currently facing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

According to Punch, Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay said,

It’s a surprise to me, because I really don’t know that our mentality has degenerated to such a level of self-service that the people, who were sent to the National Assembly to make laws for the benefit of all Nigerians, have started a process that will allow a complete crisis; an Act that corruption cannot be prosecuted.

To me, this is the highest level of shameless misconduct by the generality of the members of the red chamber. Obviously, there is no limit to the level of disgusting things they can do.

Human Rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN) in a telephone conversation with Punch also said,

Any amendment of the law under the constitution cannot and will not have retrospective effect. The amendment will not have any effect on pending cases in court.

The excuse being advanced for the devilish agenda is jejune because the CCT, whose members are screened for appointment by the Senate, cannot be said to be under the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The proposed amendment also amounts to a conflict of interest because you cannot, because of one man, amend the law of the land. It will amount to an exercise in futility.

Dotun Adetunji, the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ikorodu Branch, Lagos State described the action by the Senate as “shameful”.

This action of the Senate while its president is undergoing trial at the CCT is a shameful act. It is also a slap on the generality of Nigerians that voted them into office and a breach of the trust expected of them. This move by the Senate will not put this nation in good standing in the international community.

The rule of law is supposed to create a sane society and that is why its principles aim to ensure that a nation is governed by law and not by men’s self-serving interests.

The international community and Nigerians in diaspora should raise their voices in addition to all of us within the country to condemn this move by the Senate.

Wale Ogunnade, a Lawyer and Public Affairs analyst said that the move by the senate is intended to frustrate Saraki’s trial at the CCT.

The Senate is required by law to amend laws. However, in the case of the amendment of the CCT Act by the Senate, the question to ask is: does the Senate have an honest intention or an ulterior motive.

My opinion is that the recent moves by the Senate to amend the CCT Act were designed to frustrate the trial of Saraki. It is designed to water down the Act, making it worthless, useless and of no effect whatsoever.